Saskatchewan sends goods and services to 150 countries around the world.

Chris Dekker, the CEO of STEP, says some of the biggest exporters are located outside of Regina and Saskatoon.

He says while the U-S has been and always will be our largest market; it’s important to expand our market outreach noting the CPTPP opens up huge opportunities.

“We add value to what we produce in Saskatchewan. So instead of just sending Canola seed, we crush it here and then we send it. That adds value, economic development, and jobs and creates additional revenue for the Saskatchewan economy. Japan had a significant tariff on that, so we weren’t selling a lot. Now that tariff will be reduced over a number of years and we anticipate up to $400 million dollars of extra GDP impact just in Japan alone. Those markets are critical to us.”

Dekker was in Swift Current last week as they updated the STEP members in the area during a Business Networking Luncheon.

Similar events were held earlier in Humboldt and Yorkton, STEP is also planning events for Melfort and Weyburn.